Knife Makers = Artisans

D.Crawford

D.Crawford

Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
650
I was recently wondering exactly how one would categorize a knife maker. Artist? Craftsman?
I think the appropriate term may be Artisan. Wikipedia describes an Artisan as follows:

""An artisan or artizan (from French: artisan, Italian: artigiano) or craftsman (craftsperson)[1] is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, sculpture, clothing, jewellery, household items and tools or even machines such as the handmade devices of a watchmaker. Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist.""

and shows this depiction of a bladesmith in an impressive gallery of artisans


Any thoughts??
 
The banner on my site says "artisan blacksmithing", which I've been doing for a while. I'm a bit too gruff to think myself an artist, but I do sell some artistic pieces that incorporates blacksmith work (walking eyeball spiders, etc). I didn't really need to change it when I recently started selling knives (one so far), but I think it is still a good description. Now I wouldn't be so bold as to say it is absolutely correct, and everybody should do it, because I don't really think that. But it works for me.
 
I certainly wouldn't be offended if someone called me an artisan. I've been called a lot worse ;)

A famous bladesmith (who very much considers himself an artist - whatever that means) once said I was nothing more than a "blue-collar tool maker". I wasn't offended by that, either... in fact, I take pride in it.
 
Haha, a blue collar tool maker! That's a good one. Well, at least he didn't call you a redneck tool maker, James. Seriously, I think it takes a touch of genius in order to call youself an artisian. Just chosing materials, and adding a few artistic flouishes doesn't make anyone an artist, it needs to go to a higher level. Just my two cents, anyway.
 
I have had too many negative/misunderstood reactions to "bladesmith" or "knifemaker". Insurance providers, town planners, self employment services, etc... just don't get it. They either see me shoeing horses or manufacturing murder weapons. About 2 years ago I changed my title to "Artisan - Outfitter" and referred to my shop as a "studio". I've noticed a significant difference in the way I am received, these days.

Just for the record, I don't think the "artisan" title is reserved only for the master/genius...


ar·ti·san [ahr-tuh-zuhn]
noun
1. a person skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson.

2. a person or company that makes a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods: our favorite local food artisans.
 
I totally agree, but am afraid that if I called myself an "artisan" around these parts of TX, people would consider me to be light in the loafers. Out here in the country they like bladesmiths!
 
Rick Marchand said:
I have had too many negative/misunderstood reactions to "bladesmith" or "knifemaker". Insurance providers, town planners, self employment services, etc... just don't get it. They either see me shoeing horses or manufacturing murder weapons. About 2 years ago I changed my title to "Artisan - Outfitter" and referred to my shop as a "studio". I've noticed a significant difference in the way I am received, these days.

Just for the record, I don't think the "artisan" title is reserved only for the master/genius...


ar·ti·san [ahr-tuh-zuhn]
noun
1. a person skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson.

2. a person or company that makes a high-quality or distinctive product in small quantities, usually by hand or using traditional methods: our favorite local food artisans.
Click to expand...

I don't think the term artisian is something that can only be applied to masters or genius's either, Rick. But the final product can't be a knife with a few flourishes here and there, either; there is something a bit special about people with artisitc talent. Some have it, some don't.
 
Sadly "artistic talent" is often a label other folks apply after the fact.

To me it borders on a dismissive connotation these days as it seems to completely overlook the time, frustration, sacrifice, bull-headed effort and expense I put into developing my skills. As if I were born simply being able to do what I do. Nonsense.

In the end, call us what you will, but the work still has to stand on its own merit without further comment or rationalization from the maker. Whatever his/her "title".

BTW David, I think MC Escher himself would dig that old plate you opened with.:D
 
Andy, I know for sure and can attest to the fact that you are a true artist! I wish you would put more of your work on BF. But they might react like Graves and call you all sorts of nasty names once they realize that you do it all without electricity!
 
David Stifle said:
I don't think the term artisian is something that can only be applied to masters or genius's either, Rick. But the final product can't be a knife with a few flourishes here and there, either; there is something a bit special about people with artisitc talent. Some have it, some don't.
Click to expand...

I agree. I think it's that extra little touch... it's the ability to look at something and be able to say "It needs an extra little bit here", and hit it right on the head, every time. It's the difference between somebody saying "that's neat" and turning away when you show them something you've made, or picking up your item with google-eyes and petting it like it's a housecat. :)

Even items of the humblest construction can be true works of art.
 
Wow. Thanks Jason - too kind of you to say! One day I'll get off my butt and set up a web album for that.

To be clear - and as I've said before - I do have and do use power tools all the time. Especially side grinders and a drill press. I use them on most everything I make at some point. Not some kind of Luddite ok.

But...trad hand tools and the payoff that goes with learning to tune and use them is one of the bigger reasons I still make stuff. Pretty sure the world can do well enough without another knife - but I'm not sure I can.

As far as Mr Crawford's original post - Handmade is open equally to all but it's the motivation that makes the difference. MS Bruce Bump said in his epic cut-n-shoot thread, "People don't seem to push themselves hard enough to overcome some of the basics. If you just don't worry about how long a project takes and just concentrate on doing the best work you can, the results will be awesome. Procedures will soon become easier and faster."

Words from a world-class maker and artist that I pray will never grow old to me.

Pardon my soapbox fellas. Have a good one!
 
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